China in Turmoil Again Over Suspected Tesla Sudden Acceleration Incident

Unstoppable Model Y Crash Video... Even State Media Reports
Tesla Faces Backlash in China Including Public Protests at Shanghai Motor Show

[Asia Economy Senior Reporter Cho Young-shin] An accident suspected to be a sudden unintended acceleration of a Tesla Model Y occurred in China, resulting in 2 deaths.

Photo by Global Times capture

The Tesla Model Y accident video has spread across China through Weibo (China's version of Twitter), increasing criticism of Tesla's quality. Even state-run media have reported the news, and depending on the cause of the accident, it is expected to affect Tesla's sales in China.

Global Times reported on the 14th that in Chaozhou City, Guangdong Province, a Tesla Model Y lost control and drove at high speed for about 2 km, hitting 2 motorcycles and 2 bicycles. The media added that 2 people died and 3 were injured in the accident.

Global Times stated that there was no indication of drunk driving or drug use by the Tesla Model Y driver, and that the public security authorities are currently investigating the accident.

Chinese media focused on the sudden unintended acceleration accident based on a video showing the Tesla Model Y suddenly accelerating at high speed while attempting to park on the right shoulder of the road. The video captured the Tesla Model Y moving while the brake lights were on.

The video also showed the driver speeding while avoiding motorcycles on a two-lane road. The vehicle swayed left and right but did not stop, and continued to speed even after hitting bicycles. The Tesla Model Y eventually collided with a parked truck, sustaining severe damage before coming to a stop.

The accident driver, Mr. Jan, reportedly told the public security that he pressed the brake to park, but the car did not stop and suddenly accelerated, causing the car to lunge forward.

Global Times also reported that a similar accident occurred earlier this month in Nanjing, Jiangsu Province. Mr. Jing testified to the public security that on the 2nd, while driving a Tesla vehicle, he lost control and drove 1.8 km before hitting a bridge railing and stopping the vehicle. The Tesla vehicle's instantaneous speed was reported to have reached 150 km/h. The driver is claiming sudden unintended acceleration due to a vehicle defect and is demanding compensation from Tesla.

Tesla also faced controversy last year over a suspected sudden unintended acceleration accident. In May last year, a Tesla vehicle collided with a truck in Guangdong Province, resulting in the driver's death. On a road with a speed limit of 60 km/h, the Tesla vehicle was traveling at 158 km/h and collided with the truck ahead. The deceased driver was a retired police officer in his 60s, and the incident raised suspicions of a vehicle defect rather than speeding.

Photo by Global Times capture

Earlier in April, a Tesla Model 3 driver protested at the Shanghai Motor Show, alleging brake malfunction. The protesting driver harshly criticized Tesla's vehicle quality, stating that the braking system did not work properly and that his entire family in the car nearly died. The protest at the Shanghai Motor Show brought Tesla's quality issues to global attention.

As disputes between Tesla and Chinese consumers continued, Chinese authorities summoned Tesla executives. In February last year, five departments including the State Administration for Market Regulation, Ministry of Industry and Information Technology, Ministry of Transport, Ministry of Public Security, and Fire Department held a scheduled meeting with Tesla executives, urging them to protect the rights and interests of Chinese consumers. At that time, Chinese authorities pressured Tesla by pointing out safety-related issues such as electric vehicle fires, sudden unintended acceleration, loss of vehicle control while driving, and touchscreen malfunctions.

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.